Much research and thinking on adolescent boys focuses on the negative aspects of their behaviour such as violence, delinquency, callous attitudes towards young women and unsafe practices. What can we learn from research on the differences of socialisation of young men with more gender equitable attitudes and behaviour?

Building on an initial study in 1999 by the Instituto Promundo in Rio de Janeiro, a one-year qualitative research project was carried out with a group of young men, some of whom were identified as having a higher degree of gender equitable behaviour and attitudes towards young women. 25 young men aged 15-21 from a low-income urban setting participated in the project. In general, male involvement in reproductive health and child care is limited; men generally feel that they are entitled to sex from women; tolerance of violence against women is fairly widespread.

Although very few of the young men interviewed achieved all four characteristics below, the term ‘gender equitable’ refers to young men who:

• are respectful in their relationships with young women and seek relationships based on equality and intimacy rather than sexual conquest
• seek to be involved fathers - those who were already fathers believed they should take financial and at least responsibility for the care of their children
• assume some responsibility for reproductive health issues and do not use violence against women in their intimate relationships
• are opposed to violence against women.

The research aimed to identify factors at three levels – that of the individual, the family and the wider social setting. It was clear that some of the young men interviewed possessed more gender equitable attitudes than others:

• They had self-reflective abilities and an ability to see the cost of traditional masculinities.
• They had vocational and cultural competencies that buffer traditional masculinities.
• Adults associated with the boys offered alternative masculine roles.
• Their families intervened when faced with men’s domestic violence or rejected it outright.
• The young men had access to a more gender equitable male peer group.

In response to the research, a programme was developed to promote the attitudes and behaviours described above, including some of the original research subjects. For example, group discussions about life histories were held to help the young men see the ‘costs’ of traditional masculinities. Courses in Afro-Brazilian dance, computing and health promotion aimed to encourage vocational and cultural competencies. Community awareness raising about domestic violence targeted men and women whilst group formation was initiated and encouraged.

In terms of programme development, education and counselling, there is a need to:

• promote public awareness of gender equity at seminars, at the macro-policy level, and to form alliances with similar organisations
• encourage gender equity among young men and the people they associate with: families, girlfriends, community organisations, schools, adults all represent or reinforce gender inequity at different levels
• overcome institutional barriers to working with young men on issues related to sexuality, reproductive health and gender
• challenge institutional resistance to working with young men and preconceived notions of young men as disruptive or aggressive
• encourage adult men to act as mentors and positive role models
• provide spaces where young men can learn new cultural and vocational skills and find meaningful, social identities
• for therapists, counsellors and educators to view boys as having potential, rather than being seen as ‘walking deficits’, to listen and encourage boys to talk about issues that too often remain hidden.

Source(s):
'Gender-equitable boys in a gender inequitable world: Reflections from qualitative research and programme development in Rio de Janeiro' Sexual and Relationship Therapy, 15/3 by G. Barker, 2000

Funded by: John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation; SSL International

id21 Research Highlight: 22 March 2002

Further Information:
Gary Barker / Marcos Nascimento
Instituto PROMUNDO
Rua Francisco Serrador 2/702
Rio de Janeiro RJ 20031-060
Brazil

Tel: + 55 21 2544-3114
Fax: + 55 21 2220-3511
Contact the contributor: promundo@promundo.org.br

Instituto Promundo, Brazil

Other related links:
'Men aren’t from Mars: challenging machismo in Nicaragua'

'Conspiracy of silence? Stamping out abuse in African schools' Insights Gender Violence Special Issue

'Do men matter? New horizons in gender and development' Insights #35

Men's Roles & Responsibilities in Ending Gender Based Violence: envisioning men as part of the solution